Hello friends,
Let’s talk about the Election for a bit!…
…not the process by which we chose a new president or
governmental official. Most of us are likely tired of that and all of the
edifying commercials that go along with it. No, I’m talking about THE Election…the one
that matters most – where God chooses those who will forever be with him in
eternity. The Election which cannot be earned, but is a gift from our
Compassionate and Loving Lord.
There was a school-aged boy who was not very athletic. In
fact, he was outright clumsy and awkward. The jocks called him such endearing
terms as, “Dork”, “Nerd” or “NARP” (Non-athletic, retarded person). When teams
were chosen during recess he was always the last to be chosen, and then
reluctantly with, “I guess we’re stuck with him.” His contemporaries made fun
of him because even the girls were chosen ahead of him…that is, until one day
when the captain of the school football team, who was also the homecoming king,
chose this boy first! The contemporaries
were shocked. Those who had ridiculed the boy were confronted with the reality
that the greatest athlete in the school chose the clumsy and awkward one first.
Regardless of the boy’s lack of athletic prowess, he was given a new esteem and
status by the captain, though the choice made no earthly sense. Why was he
chosen first by the best athlete and most popular boy of the school? Because
they were brothers…and the picker loved his brother.
When God was choosing Israel to be his people, he didn’t
choose them because they were the biggest nation or people who lived in the
richest land and had the most powerful army. God chose out of his love for
Israel.
“It was not because you were more
numerous than any other people that the LORD set his heart on you and chose you
– for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the LORD loved you.”
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 (NRSV)
Election…God’s sovereign right to chose whomever he
chooses. It has nothing to do with our
ability to perform. Nor does it pertain to popularity. Nor is God impressed so
much with our possessions that he wants to be close to us. God loves us, so he chooses us before we are
even born, even if others think we are losers; even if it makes no earthly
sense.
A common question, when it comes to Election, is, “Why does
God not allow anyone or everyone to enter his kingdom?” The short answer is, “We
do not know.” Yet, I do not believe, as
some “double-predestination” advocates do, that God creates some with the
purpose of sending them to Hell. After
all, 2 Peter 3:9b says, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” No…the Bible does not
enlighten us to all of the truths about predestination and Election. Perhaps
someday we’ll know.
For now, though, what comfort there is in His Election for
those who would say, “Yes” to God’s blessing of salvation. Paul reminds us in
his letter to the believers in Ephesus (emphasis added) –
“Even before he made the world,
God loved us and chose
us in Christ to be holy and
without fault in his eyes.” (New Living Translation)
Election…how comforting to know that I belong to God simply
because he selected me. Along with millions of others, yet out of millions of
others God chose me! And for what
purpose did God choose me and you? Jesus
gives us insight in John 15:16 (emphasis added) –
“You didn’t choose me, remember;
I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit,
fruit that won’t spoil.” (The Message
Translation)
In short, God choses us to be his people on earth as a
preview of what we’ll be as his people in heaven. And too often we miss the
blessings of being his people when we do not ask God for healings, wisdom, or
any other “miracle” he would offer. While on earth, we “bear fruit”…we live in
a way to have an impact on eternity. We
do this by living a “Kingdom Lifestyle” now.
The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our God and of his
Christ.
And He shall reign forever and forever King of Kings, and Lord of
Lords.
So go the inspiring words of George Frideric Handel, in his
familiar and epic offering, The Hallelujah Chorus. This tune, though, is
far more than a Christmas favorite. It reminds us that the kingdom of God is
here on earth because God is sovereign over all of his creation. It’s true, “He
shall reign King of Kings and Lord of Lords” … yet, He already is! Our privilege is to live it with him, asking
Jesus to be the Lord of our daily lives. This is the privilege of the Elect.
“We love because he first loved
us.”
1 John 4:19
“Election”…it’s not a bad word, and it doesn’t need to raise
the hair on your neck. It’s God’s word that defines who we are as those who
belong to God, never to be taken from him.
It gives us the assurance that “nothing can ever separate us from God’s
love” (Romans 8:39.)
So let's pray for the process of electing new government officials, yes. But let’s also be the Elect, living the kingdom now! And let’s invite others to
enjoy God with us, especially as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach. Discover
anew his love for you and the kingdom power of his presence because you are in
him.
God bless you, Kirk McCormick
